SINGAPORE – A 13ha plot of prime land abutting Singapore Botanic Gardens will come into the Government’s possession, following a land swop deal between the Republic and Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

In exchange, Tunku Ismail will receive an 8.5ha piece of state land near the 13ha plot, which he can develop, subject to regulatory approvals.

The exchange involving land in Tyersall Park – an area privately owned by the Johor royal family since the 1800s – is expected to be completed later in 2025. The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced the deal on June 10.

Tyersall Park is the historical Singapore residence of the Sultan of Johor, and Singapore has over the years purchased some land from the royal family.

Portions of the land that Singapore has bought from the family have been developed as the Botanic Gardens’ Tyersall and Gallop extensions.

On June 10, SLA and URA said Tunku Ismail currently owns 21.1ha of land in the area, including the 13ha plot that is part of the swop.

The remaining 8.1ha of land sits between the 13ha plot and the 8.5ha plot that he will receive following the swop.

SLA and URA said Tunku Ismail intends to develop his land, and that the swop was agreed upon so his planned developments will be farther away from the 49ha portion of the Singapore Botanic Gardens that was inscribed a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2015.

The 8.5ha and 13ha plots to be swopped are of “comparable value”, said SLA and URA, adding that the 8.1ha plot will remain under Tunku Ismail’s ownership.

After the swop, Tunku Ismail may develop the 8.5ha and 8.1ha plots which are suitable for low-rise and low-density residential uses, the agencies said.

“Any development plans will be subject to due process,” they said, adding that URA and other agencies will assess applications and ensure the proposed development “is sensitive to” its surroundings.

The agencies also said any develop...